Question of the Day: What Would Make School Cool?

Today on Big Window, I posted some pictures on innovation school architecture.  So today's question is about school. If you could design a school, how would you set it up? Who would be the teachers? How would the children learn?

Comments

[oneofhismoms]

I wish I could teach in a project-oriented school in which the curriculum -- all of it, math, reading, writing, art -- involved the students doing one real-world project. But I'd kind of like most of the curriculum to be worked out in advance by a team of really smart people who know what teaching actually involves. I'd like my dream school to look like the school on "Sid the Science Kid," but with more than one classroom and about ten or twelve kids in each class, but the classes often intermingle, so the kids don't get sick of each other.

Can you tell I've thought about this before?

[Cheryl]

If you'd asked me this question when I was nine, my answer would have been: swimming pool, and ball pit a la Chuck E. Cheese. Actually, I think I'll stick with that answer.

[Kirsten (same person, new blog)]

I did a whole project on this question in my year 11 'theory of knowledge' class, but I can't remember what I said.

Honestly I think Liam's school is fantastic - which is a Steiner school. There are elements of Montessori that I like too, and I suspect for a homeschool environment a Montessori set up would work well.

But some of the things I love about Liam's school are (in no particular order):
* a LOT of outside time
* a strong attention to the natural environment
* a lot of focus on creativity, from creative play in the kinder years, to doing music, drawing, painting, handwork, and woodwork, all as required subjects
* a strong focus on ritual, particularly noting the changes in season, the beginnings and endings of things, the chance to experience reverence
* a delay (until the age of about 7) on the introduction of academic work
* no homework in the early years (but I would extend this to the whole of primary school)
* a strong sense and fostering of community

Not sure that that exactly answers your questions, but there you go :)

[anniem]

I like the German-style outdoor schools best. Very fantasy school experience a la Emille. For the real world, I'd love to blend either Japanese or Singapore math, Finland science, Indian poetry/literature, US creative writing and independent thought, European social canon, and the Latin Trivium. Very real world, right?

[Betty]

Other than the decor actually being fun? I would focus on the cafeteria. Mine and the one my Moses has to sit in at lunch lacks a cozy quality. Scores of long tables in a row. I think they should have smaller tables, nicer quality chairs, music in the background, plants, softer lighting and they should be served their meals. My kids school allows them to pick what they want before they get there anyway. This would make it nicer and possibly calmer. That's just me though. Some people may enjoy the chaos of the lunch room.